Electric traffic signal



Jul 24, 1928., 1,677,942 -w. w. WHlTMQRE ELECTRIC 'iRAFFICSIGNAL Filed Sept, 22, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet ah'vewto 'o Willi/ROPE w. W. WHWMO'RE ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Sept. 22, 1924 2 Shecs-Shet .2

i Patented July 24, 1928.

WILBUR W. WHITMORE,

PATENT; v OFFICE.

or DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed September 22, 1924. Serial No. 739,162.

This invention relates to trafiic signals and aims to provide novel means whereby persons approaching an automobile from the front or rear thereof will be warned of the direction of travel to be taken by the vehicle. I

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be controlled from a point adjacent to the drivers seat to' the end that the driver may readily operate the buttons controlling the circuits.

A still further object of the invention is the provision ot' means tor suppor'tingthe device adjacent to the wind shield of a motor vehicle where it will be clearly visible by persons near the vehicle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceedsthe invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from thespiritof the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view disclosing a traflic signal constructed in accordance with the invention as secured to the wind shield frame of a motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits used for controlling the lamps of the signal.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through a signaling device.

Figure 4: is a plan View of the signaling device. v

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on hne 5-5 of Figure 3. I

Figure 6 is arear elevational view of the signaling device.

I Referring to the drawings in detail, .the signaling device includes a casing indicated generally by the reference character 5 which casing is divided by the partitioning members 6 into a plurality of compartments, the

v59 outer surfaces of the compartments'being formed with cut out portions to accommodate the transparent colored members 7 The casing also includes a base 8 which is formed with a plurality of openings to accommodate the socket members 9 that are shown as positioned'therein, the socket membersbeing supplied with the usual bayonet slots for holding the lamps 10 therein. As clearly shown by Figure 8 of the drawings, the base is cut away at 11 to provide a space for the plugs 12 that have connection with the battery 13 through the wires 14 and controlling switches 15, it being understood that eachlainp socket has connection with a par ticular circuit so thatas the switches are manipulated, circuits will be completed to the lamps to illuminate the several compartments thereof.

The reference" character 16. indicates a removable cover plate which is normally held in position by means of the screws 17 whereby easyaccess may be had to the various elements of the casing by removing the cover plate 16. Formed integral with the base 8- are arms 18 and 19, which arms are provided with clamps 20 that are adapted to be clamped around a side member of a wind shield frame, in order that the signaling device may be readily mounted for operation.

It might be further stated that itis contemplated to employ transparent members in the front and rear surfaces of the central compartment, colored red, while the transparent members in the upper compartment are colored green, and the transparent members of the lower compartment are colored yellow, to the end that if the vehicle equipped with the signaling device is to stop, the operator will press the button to complete the circuit to the lamp in the lower compartment, and the yellow color will be tioned in the uppermost compartment of the casing is closed to complete the circuit to the lamp supported therein, displaying a green. color to indicate that the vehicle will ,turn to the right.

I claim: ,A signaling device including a body portion having an open end and having display .2 Lew/ 42 openings formed in the sides thereof, a base fitted over the recessed portion to close the to which the open end of the body portion recess, and arms for supporting the base is secured, said base having a recessed rear portion. I

surface and having socket openings formed In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 5 therein, lamp sockets in the socket openings my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

and having their rear ends housed within I the recessed portion of the base, a cover plate WILBUR W. VHITMORE. 

